A native of West Virginia, William Shock Smith, 42, was born March 12, 1908 in the town of Cedarville in that state. He is a son of Mr. and Mrs. J.V. Smith who now make their home in Glenville, West Virginia.

A resident of Charlton County for nearly twenty years, Mr. Smith is now serving his second term as the County Superintendent of Schools. He received his common school education in a one-room school near Cedarville, later completing high school in the Glenville, W.V. State Normal School. Before coming to Georgia he taught for eight years in West Virginia, most of the time as the school principal.

After completing his studies at State Normal and in further preparation for a life career in the profession of education, Mr. Smith entered Glenville, West Virginia State College from which institution he received an AB degree. Later, after coming to Georgia, he completed studies in the University of Georgia in 1939 entitling him to the degree of MS in education.

Beginning his school career in this state, Mr. Smith was named as principal of the St. George High School in 1935, a position he held continuously for six years. Leaving St. George in 1941 he held the principalship of the Bryceville High School in Nassau County for two years.

From Bryceville Mr. Smith went to Marion Military Institute, Marion, Alabama, as an instructor in that noted institution. In 1944, while teaching at Marion, he was elected County School Supt. of Charlton County, having retained his citizenship in this county. He took up his duties in this capacity on January 1, 1945 since which time he has continuously served as head of the county’s public school system.

During the entire period he has been a citizen of Georgia, Mr. Smith has taken an active interest in the educational affairs of the state through membership in the county, district and state organizations. He has taken a leading role in formulating and promoting the educational programs of these groups and in helping to advance the cause of education on a state-wide basis.

For his efforts in the cause of education he has won outstanding recognition among his co-workers. Among the distinctions accorded him was the election as president of the Georgia State Association of Superintendents, Board Members and Trustees, also named to serve on the district committee for the twelve-year school program and as a member of the Committee on Finance of the Minimum Foundation Program for education in this state.

Apart from his interest in education Mr. Smith has also been active in civic affairs, working for the progress and advancement of the community and county. He has served as president of the Folkston Lions Club and also secretary of that group and also has willingly volunteered his services in other worthy causes.

In August of 1927 Mr. Smith was united in marriage to Miss Erma Lee Engel, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Frank L. Engel of Gassaway, West Virginia. Mrs. Smith is a niece of the late Mrs. Anna Bender White, for many years a resident of St. George, and it was no doubt very largely through this relationship that she and Mr. Smith came to Charlton County to make their home. They have two children, Mrs. Baynard Gowen and William Jake Smith, both of this city.

Mr. and Mrs. Smith are both members of the Baptist Church, the former having served as a teacher in the Sunday School since becoming a resident of this city. Mr. Smith is a member of the Masonic order while both are members of the local chapter Order of the Eastern Star.